Engineering is a great career with plenty of opportunities and good earning potential, and the first step to becoming an engineer is through getting a degree in the field. However, there are a lot of choices, school can be expensive, and each university has unique attributes. To create a list of the best engineering schools according to value, we took rankings from Princeton Review, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance rankings of best value schools, and US News and World Reports rankings of engineering schools, as well as tuition, geography and cost of living into consideration.

[qs_listing areaofinterest=”GENERAL-ENGINEERING”]

The following schools all offer high-quality engineering programs, are accessible to most Americans, and have reasonable to very low tuition. Students who graduate from them will have a quality degree in their field of study and can expect good employment opportunities without incurring significant debt. Below are our top 10 value engineering schools for 2012. [Read more…]

With the price of gasoline going up and people grumbling about the cost of filling their tanks, one might come to see oil and gas as an expense rather than a source of wealth. However, for some people, fossil fuels can be the key to a very lucrative career. Petroleum engineers, are one such class of people who work in the fossil fuel industry, and they earn amongst the highest pay of any engineers, averaging well over $100,000 per year. In fact, the lowest-paid petroleum engineers earn almost $70,000 per year, while the top ten percent earn over $170,000. In addition to the great pay, the job features plenty of opportunities for traveling, working abroad and career advancement.

Paralegals, also known as legal assistants (the terms are synonymous), are the backbone of a busy law firm. Just as nurses perform a number of important medical tasks for doctors, paralegals support lawyers in preparing cases by researching, filing documents with the court, analyzing statements and drafting legal arguments. Although paralegals usually work ordinary business hours, they can be called upon at times to work overtime to meet deadlines and see a case through to resolution.

Whether or not you were “a pledge” in college, everyone loves films about fraternities. Maybe it’s because by watching them we feel like we’re getting back in touch with our younger selves. Maybe it’s because they depict a carefree existence, before the responsibilities of adulthood have kicked in. Or maybe we just enjoy them for their constant stream of riotous, alcohol-induced antics and their abundance of attractive young students! Whatever the case may be, here are the 10 movie fraternities that you’d most like to party with (when you’re not busy studying hard, of course!). [Read more…]

Veterans, who have been trained to perform vital duties in defense of our country, have a lot to offer potential employers, but sometimes it isn’t enough to make it in the civilian job market. After serving in the military, education offers the opportunity to take a step up the ladder and position oneself for a solid career.

Below are degrees that can help dedicated, motivated veterans gain the credentials and expertise that can carry them through the transition to civilian life and move onward and upward through the ranks back home. [Read more…]

Being a single mother is hard work. Not only do single mothers have to take care of their children, but in most cases they have to provide for them as well. When child support is insufficient, or simply doesn’t materialize, times can be tough, and many single mothers find themselves working two full-time jobs: childcare and their day job.

Unfortunately, not all single mothers have jobs that are sufficient for making ends meet, often because they lack the education and credentials that could help them secure a better job, or even a fulfilling career. However, going to school and obtaining an appropriate degree can be the key to a better, less stressful and more prosperous life for both single mothers and their children.

So what’s available to single mothers? Opportunities abound, but below we’ve compiled some of the best degrees for women who want to balance their important job of motherhood with school and a subsequent career: [Read more…]

The occupation of civil engineer has a long and momentous history, and is the hallmark of advanced societies around the world. From the Colosseum of ancient Rome to the Great Wall of China, civil engineering has left a lasting impression that defines great civilizations. The profession is both momentous and eminently practical; enormous bridges such as Golden Gate are designed by civil engineers, and so are the sewage systems and water treatment plants that eliminate and treat waste. Civil engineers have been facilitating the movement of people, enabling the use of vital resources such as water, and even eliminating disease for thousands of years. Those who are interested in large-scale construction projects, heavy machinery, impressive structures and improving people’s lives may find civil engineering to be an en exciting and rewarding job.

However, there are other aspects of the job that many aspiring engineers may find attractive. Due to aging infrastructure and the need to replace and repair buildings and roads, civil engineering jobs are expected to be added at a much higher rate than most other occupations over the next decade, which will likely result in increased job security and higher pay for civil engineers. So, if you are thinking about becoming an engineer, civil engineering is worth a close look. [Read more…]

Air traffic controllers perform the vital service of coordinating flight paths, scheduling takeoffs and landings, advising pilots of conditions and monitoring instruments that keep track of aircraft both in flight and on the runway. The job is complicated and requires close, constant attention to detail, the ability to think on one’s feet and a cool head under pressure. Because so much responsibility is placed in the hands of air traffic controllers, it is a well-paid job with excellent benefits.

One can become an air traffic controller through one of three avenues. First, many are trained by the military, including both civilians and veterans who have worked in the field for the Department of Defense. Secondly, one can apply to the FAA after having obtained a bachelor’s degree or three years of progressively-responsible full-time work, and finally those who wish to become air traffic controllers can also complete either a 2-year or 4-year program offered through the FAA Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program (AT-CTI), which is offered through 31 schools nationwide.

As the population ages and the wear and tear of many years begins to take a toll on the bodies of millions of Americans, the need for physical therapists is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade. However, physical therapists work with people of all ages for a variety of reasons. Physical therapy can treat injury and disease, but it can also prevent or delay the onset of mobility problems. It can be used to help a wide variety of patients, from ordinary folks looking improve their quality of life to athletes ensuring they can perform at the highest level.

Those who enjoy helping people and working in a health-oriented field may find physical therapy to be an attractive occupation. Additionally, people who like to be mobile themselves rather than confined to a chair and desk might prefer the hands-on nature of the job, which requires some degree of fitness and the ability to perform physical work as well. However, one of the most attractive aspects of the job may be that it allows physical therapists to make a living through acts of compassion and healing. Helping a victim of an accident or stroke learn to walk again can be very rewarding, as can assisting a disabled child or a wounded war veteran in overcoming limitations. There are countless opportunities for physical therapists to improve people’s lives and make a positive impact on the world.